Brazil 6 - Australia 0

Interestingly that wasn't anything like as bad as the effect of the
Mighty Cheated result. We were well shafted by the boys from. They
are good footballers and we let ourselves down in many ways. Probably
our worst defensive effort (and not just because of the score)
against the one side you can give no leniency.

Was the ref's decision on the Big V correct? Technically, yes amd
Viduka did his country no favour with that pointless hack; but,
perhaps another referee might, in view of the occasion, have been
more merciful with a yellow.

The Brazilians have lots of other skills too. Even when dominating as
they did, they still slowed down every Oz freekick in such a way as
to avoid the ref's attention. They showed expertise in diving, For
the penalty he was on the way down well before Bozzo went for the
ball. What was he supposed to do? Stand back and leave it? He
obviously decided to do that when the kick was taken, and I don't
blame him at all.

Chris, my son, who was mad enough to drive over at 3.45 AM, pointed
out at the end that the Brazilians just about never tackled one of our
players to gain possession. They didn't need to. All that was needed
was to wait for the inevitable poor control or misplaced pass. So sad
after a fair showing to date.

How many of the goals might we have prevented with tighter marking on
another day? Several IMHO. Probably the strain of so much football in
such a short time, the pay dispute (Crhis reckoned they were protesting
by never passing to a team mate for the whole game), the loss of
Viduka, the occasion as well as the obvious Brazilian superiority all
contributed to our worse international effort for a long time.

Anyone else feel John (tortuous) Helm just a little fulsome in his
praise of Brazil.